| Despite the perceived unreliability of solar power as an | | | | converter. This transforms direct current (DC) to |
| energy resource, it is far more versatile than grid | | | | alternating current (AC). This is needed as most |
| electricity. There are not many places in the world that | | | | household appliances use AC. If you are joint venturing |
| do not get some form of direct sunlight from time to | | | | with a utility company they will require that the current |
| time. In fact you can use solar power to provide | | | | is AC as it is more efficient to transport. |
| energy for your weekend retreat in the woods or your | | | | It is often tricky to know how big the solar power |
| suburban residential home. The only difference might | | | | system should be. As the systems can be quite |
| be the scale and quantity of electricity that is needed. | | | | expensive to set up it is a good idea to monitor your |
| There are four main components to all solar power | | | | energy usage so that you know exactly how much |
| systems that use the photovoltaic (PV) process to | | | | power you will need on a regular basis. Another |
| produce electricity. | | | | important consideration is to insulate your home to the |
| The photovoltaic cell is the principle technology the | | | | best possible standard. This will save on heat loss and |
| conversion of the sun's energy into electricity. Photons | | | | less electricity will be needed. |
| are converted to direct current electricity in each | | | | All solar panels are rated by watts, similar to the rating |
| particular cell. The cells are arranged in series and an | | | | of light bulbs. Since they are all 12-volt output, |
| electric current is created. The series of cells are what | | | | calculating the amperage is a simple formula. Knowing |
| you see on roofs of houses that used solar power | | | | that volts times amps equals watts, and a 12-volt solar |
| and are commonly referred to as panels. Depending | | | | panel produces 60 watts, it can be figured out that the |
| on the amount of electricity you need will determine | | | | panel is capable of just over three amps. |
| the size and amount of panels that you need. | | | | Based on this, it is easy to understand why solar |
| In addition to the PV cell panels, a charge regulator is | | | | power systems do not work well for units that draw a |
| needed. This connects to a battery that stores direct | | | | lot of amps, such as appliances with a heating coil such |
| current electricity. When the battery charge is low the | | | | as electric heaters, furnaces or air conditioners. |
| charge regulator will direct the converted solar | | | | However, there are 12-volt versions of many of this |
| electricity to the battery and thus keep it topped up. | | | | type of appliance that can be used, provided the solar |
| The regulator also knows when the battery is fully | | | | array is large enough to produce the required |
| charged and will stop electricity being directed to it | | | | amperage. |
| when this is the case. | | | | With most residential solar power systems it is easy to |
| The third component is the battery pack itself. This can | | | | work with a utility company to begin with. They bill you |
| be one or more batteries and again this is dependent | | | | for electricity used minus the amount of solar electricity |
| on the amount of sunlight and the amount of electricity | | | | that you have created. As you become more |
| that will be needed when the sun is not shinning (at | | | | comfortable with the technology and the amount of |
| night) | | | | power you use, you can move away from the grid |
| The fourth component is the power inverter or | | | | and go completely off grid. |